Innovation and internationalisation processes are relevant key drivers for the development of companies. Their role in performance and success of firms is still an open question in the literature, suggesting the need for further research. In this context, our paper1 aims to improve understanding of the relationship between innovation, internationalisation, and performance focusing on the Italian furniture industry. In a systematic effort to match the empirical world to theory, we adopted a qualitative approach based on a multiple-case study of four Italian furniture firms. First, we found that, for the managers interviewed, innovation is relevant if it creates new value for customers. Second, our findings suggest that the relationship can be better explained through in depth analysis of the key dimensions of innovation and the different local contexts.
